Bottles

[bluelight320]

I am new to beer making and in fact, have never brewed beer (although I have done wine already).

My question is this.......I have a case of empty Yuengling Lager bottles that I'd like to use for brewing my first batch of beer. Would these bottles work or do I have to purchase different bottles?

Thanks,
Rich S.
Gettysburg, PA

 

[Loup]

I'm looking at some pictures of Yuengling, I can't tell if the cap is a twist-off or not. You do not want to use twist-offs. The lager appears to come in a clear bottle, brown would be better, but clear will work. You'll just want to keep it out of the light, otherwise your beer will turn skunky.

 

[bluelight320]

Loup,

The bottles are green colored but are also twist-off.

Thanks,
Rich S.
Gettysburg, PA

 

[Loup]

Just so you know what you're looking for in the future.

A regular wing capper can't apply caps to a twist-off bottle, I've heard a bench capper can but don't have any experience with one. Most people use a wing capper, so the general rule is don't use twist-offs.

Both clear and green bottles will let a lot of UV light through the bottle, UV light reacts with the hop oils causing your beer to take on a skunky flavor/smell. You can use clear or green bottles, just keep them in a dark place for storage.

Brown bottles block out most of the UV light so are good to use. I've seen debates on blue bottles, but have never seen a real consensus on them.

 

[billtzk]

You'll find that a a number of people use bottles with twist-off caps, but most of them will use a bench capper instead of a wing capper as Loup said. Personally, I avoid them mostly on the basis of aesthetics (I find them unattractive), but also because I use a wing capper and I'm paranoid about getting a good seal. It's a matter of preference.

Clear or green bottles are fine if you keep your beer out of the light. I use brown bottles mainly because they are the most plentiful and because it offers better protection for your beer in case you don't happen to keep them in the dark.

I used to bottle one beer from each new recipe in a clear bottle, just so I could admire it. It was fun at first, but it got to be too much trouble after a while so I stopped doing that. I'd rather drink them all anyway.

 

[Special Hops]

Youenglings are twist caps. You are beeter off with brown non-twist bottles.